Team USA’s young roster at the 2023 FIBA World Cup represents a set of stars with wide variations in their yearly earnings. For example, the number 22 pick of the 2022 NBA draft, Walker Kessler, was picked by the Utah Jazz. He has a contract that sees him earn just $2,831,160 in the upcoming season, according to Sportrac. Austin Reaves, who recently signed a new contract with the Lakers, will be earning $12,015,150 in the upcoming season. Brandon Ingram on the other hand is the highest-paid player on the Team USA roster. His contract with the New Orleans Pelicans will pay him a whopping $33,833,400 in the upcoming season.
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While there are a range of stars on Team USA who have recently secured massive contracts with their franchises, some have not. At the same time, the roster has a range of young stars who are inexperienced in the NBA but have still impressed enough to be part of the team.
Team USA stars have come together despite massive pay gaps between then
There are a range of young stars who have impressed in the past couple of seasons in the NBA. The likes of Tyrse Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Paulo Banchero, and Jaren Jackson Jr. might have secured big payments from their NBA teams, but are still new to the Team USA setup.
This is even more true for Kessler, who just finished his rookie season with the Utah Jazz. Now, he will be expected to perform alongside some bonafide young stars.
Austin Reaves has thoroughly impressed fans and critics in recent seasons and appears to have found his star factor. Anthony Edwards on the other hand has been in impending form in the exhibition matches thus far and has seen comparisons with the likes of Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade, albeit for different reasons.
Initially asked to come off the bench like Dwyane Wade in Kobe Bryant’s time, ANT has done enough to warrant his place in the starting lineup.
While the team’s most experienced and well-paid star Brandon Ingram struggled for playing time with the Pelicans last season, most of the young stars have impressed in recent times. Everyone will now expect the players to let go of their pay gap differences and lead their country to a gold medal.
Brandon Ingram will earn over $20 million more than Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves
Edwards’ 4-year extension with the Timberwolves means that he will be earning more than $44 million over its course. This translates to a payment of over $13 million for the upcoming season, according to Sportrac.
On the other hand, Austin Reaves, as mentioned above will be getting a similar bag. His salary will be just slightly below $13 million in the upcoming season, from the Lakers.
Ingram, who is also still 25 years old, is the most experienced of the lot. The fact that he has already proven his mettle in the NBA means that he will by far be the highest-paid player on Team USA.
